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Could AI chatbots counter conspiracy theories?

If people believe in conspiracy theories, how likely are they to think again when presented with facts and evidence? The good news is that people can shift their view when wacky theories are debunked according to a study just published in the journal Science. The researchers created an AI chatbot that engaged with people and presented them with facts to counter their dodgy beliefs. The study team invited people to state why they believed a conspiracy theory, and fed those responses into GPT4. The chatbot was instructed to be a persuasive sceptic. Thomas Costello, Assistant Professor of Psychology at American University in Washington DC is one of the authors and is on the show.

Potential ban of Chinese EV’s in the US

The US is giving notice on Chinese and Russian manufactured ‘smart cars’ – it’s talking seriously about proposing to ban sales or imports of such connected vehicles. That comes from a White House announcement this week. It’s not a trade war, says the US, but a matter of national security. Gareth and Ania discuss the proposed new rules. 

Original source of migrants eating pets fake news story

“In Springfield, they’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats, they’re eating the pets of the people that live there…” said Donald Trump in the televised Presidential debate… Where did such an extreme claim come from? Jack Brewster, Enterprise Editor at NewsGuard found the original comment with his colleague. We hear how he did it. 

The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell and the studio expert is Ania Lichtarowicz. 

More on this week's stories:

Durably reducing conspiracy beliefs through dialogues with AI

Biden wants to ban Chinese software in 'smart cars' over security concerns

How false claims of pet-eating immigrants caught on 

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Editor: Ania Lichtarowicz

Production Manager: Liz Tuohy

Recording and audio editing : Lansons | Team Farner

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